Harrowsmith

I am often described as unwaveringly optimistic, so you shouldn’t be surprised that I love winter. Having a very warm jacket and a good pair of boots are the keys to lasting outside for serval hours at a time, whether it be walking on the trails in my nearby nature, crunching snow under my wheels on a fat tire bike or climbing through my garden to clip branches for arrangements like the one on page 12 and the wreath on 16. I also like that winter brings a cozy time, a reason to sleep a little more and to slow down from the pace that summer and fall take us through. There’s a stillness in the cold air, and when it’s all snowy and gross outside, I love hunkering down inside…

1 • THE LIGHT ON A FREEZING COLD MORNING. We love those mornings when it is frosty cold, and you step outside into the crisp promise of a winter’s day. These days hold the still and fresh air that the long days of summer will never possess. Visit www.harrorsmithmag.com/winter-weather to learn the seasonal weather forecast for your region of Canada by our weather expert Mark Sirois. 2 • THE WINTER NIGHT SKY Slightly warmer temperatures in early winter this year make the time spent under the stars more comfortable. While global warming is bad, it has also presented some opportunities to stargaze at night in the middle of winter. — Astronomy expert, Robert Dick 3 • FULL MOONS IN THE DARKEST SKIES Look for the full moons of winter on these dates and times they are…

Drover’s Way Farm was ice locked. The tracks down the driveway led to roads that were ‘shear ice,’ as it is called in Eastern Ontario, where the author lives. Storms come in many forms on a farm. Often, we think of weather storms of snow, rain, wind, and hail. There can also be storms of disease and storms of circumstance. One doesn’t need to live on a farm to realize that the proverbial ‘perfect storm’ can happen when, seemingly, all difficult sues that could happen occur at the same time. The difference, perhaps, on a farm is that there is a responsibility for many lives, including humans, animals and vegetation. To make matters more complicated, climate change is creating environmental conditions with unprecedented, severe storms. As farmers, we can’t control or…

First, consider buying nothing. Let’s face it, there’s a lot of “stuff” in our world already. According to Zero Waste Canada, “within 6 months of the holidays, only 1% of everything the average person buys is still in use, and the other 99% has been discarded.” This is alarming! (Especially since we’re spending an estimated $1,276 per person.) So, before you head to the mall, the market or online, begin your gift-searching quest with some creative thinking. Give services instead of goods. The gift of helping others with cleaning, organizing, yard work, car washing, running errands or cooking will likely be appreciated for a long time past the holidays. It’s the thought that counts, and the personal touch makes every gift more meaningful. Invest in experiences. Here’s some ideas that might work: Gift a meal…

When Valentina and Sébastien Nobile founded their nonprofit La Soufflerie in 7, they had a noble cause – to keep the art of glassblowing alive in Paris. And they’ve come a long way from selling their vases from the back of their bicycles in the 15th district of old Paris. They now operate around the world. Their exquisite pieces are handblown from 100% recycled glass, making them sustainable and ethical and multipurpose. Amour Vase in Strawberry, obakki.com. $45. Gift a beautiful — and odourless — kitchen composter. The designers of this biomorphic worm house collected data for almost two years, then created it in the best shape for both worm health and human convenience. Because food and yard waste makes up 20-30 % of what is going to landfills, this is…

Sapsucker is organic, sparkling tree water with a little bubble and a hint of natural sweetness. It’s plant-based and nutrient-rich with vitamins and antioxidants. Sapsucker is tapped in Canada and we love the brightly coloured cans and names of the fl vours. Sipsapsucker.com. A family business run by three Saskatchewan-based farmers and two sisters, bonded by a passion for sustainability, they make snacks like Roasted Chickpeas, Roasted Peas, and Roasted Lentils. Threefarmers.ca. Fody’s easy-to-digest and delicious pasta sauces and salsas are made from all-natural, premium ingredients and are certified Glu en-Free, Vegan, Non-GMO, and Low FODMAP. The company is based in Montreal. Fodyfoods.com. Balzac’s Coffee Roasters is a woman-founded, fair trade brand based in Ontario where they roast and package all of their coffee and offer special and seasonal blends. Balzacs.com. Founded by executive…